Table of Contents
Prologue: Experience and Memory 7
1 Mia Dolce Patria 14
2 The Empire of Disease 22
3 Medical Bologna 34
4 Leonardo and the Anatomists 41
5 The Education of a Surgeon 48
6 The Road of Experience 57
7 The Carnival Doctor 62
8 The New Asclepius 69
9 The Marvelous Virtues of Precipitato 77
10 Chalatan or Wonder Worker? 86
11 An Ingenious Surgery 91
12 The Marvels of Naples 102
13 An Academy of Magi 111
14 The University of War 122
15 The Cardinal's House 134
16 A Surgeon in Rome 140
17 A Road Not Taken 150
18 Venetian Curiosities 157
19 The Lure of the Charlatan 166
20 A Writer for the Ages 175
21 Venice's Scientific Underworld 188
22 Mathematical Magic 196
23 The Search for the Philosopher's Stone 204
24 A Star is Born 210
25 The Medical Entrepreneur 219
26 Ambition and Glory 228
27 A Conspiracy of Doctors 242
28 Leonardo the Chameleon 250
29 Life and Art 259
30 In the Court of the Catholic King 266
31 Masters of Fire 277
32 The Charlatan's Trial 283
33 "Il mio sacco é vuoto" 294
34 The Judgment of History 302
Epilogue: Traces 315
Acknowledgments 320
Appendix 322
Notes 324
Bibliography 344
Index 360
Image Credits 368